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Principals and Teachers Make Generous Donations to Support Students and Families

Community Updates

Principals and teachers of the St. Clair Catholic District School Board have made personal donations to help support students and families who are struggling as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Members of the St. Clair unit of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario (CPCO) have donated $800 each to the St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and Help Centre in Sarnia and Chatham Outreach for Hunger and a further $400 donation to the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Wallaceburg.

With a six-foot cheque to respect social distancing rules, Sue Platt, Manager of the Sarnia St. Vincent de Paul Food Bank and Help Centre accepts a donation from Brendan Deery, President of the St. Clair Unit of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario

Members of the St. Clair elementary and secondary units of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association (OECTA) have donated $3,000 each to Chatham Outreach for Hunger and the Inn of the Good Shepherd in Sarnia. 

Rick Baggio, of the Catholic Principals’ Council of Ontario with Brenda LeClair, Executive Director of Chatham Outreach for Hunger.

In addition, OECTA has supported 42 families with grocery and Walmart gift cards and have assisted two families by helping to furnish an apartment and donate a laptop, to make it possible for a student to be able to participate in online learning at home.

Heather Griffioen of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association – St. Clair Elementary Unit presents a donation on behalf of her colleagues to Brenda LeClair, Executive Director of Chatham Outreach for Hunger.

“These are challenging times for many families,” says Wayne Bechard, President of the Elementary Unit of OECTA – St. Clair.  “Our members know first hand the circumstances their students face and they have responded generously.  We are proud of their answer to our call for help.”

Myles Vanni, Executive Director of the Inn of the Good Shepherd, Sarnia accepts a donation from Chad Coene, President of the Ontario English Catholic Teachers’ Association – St. Clair Secondary Unit.

“Teachers often dig into their own pockets and find ways to anonymously support students in need,” says Chad Coene, President of the Secondary Unit of OECTA – St. Clair.  “Our members are pleased to contribute to this fundraising initiative, which will support many students and families in our communities who need our help.”

“As leaders in their school communities, our principals know their families and the struggles that have been compounded by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Brendan Deery, President of CPCO – St. Clair.  “I want to thank them for their compassionate response, which will assist those in our community who need our support at this time.”

“Thank you to our teachers and principals and their union executives for these generous donations, which will do so much to help our students and families,” says Deb Crawford, Director of Education.  “Words cannot describe what this will mean to our most vulnerable families.”